Victoria Park miss out on silverware

May 27 2009 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

BOSS John Walker admitted a poor first half performance proved costly as Victoria Park endured Strathclyde Cup Final dejection.

The Airdrie-based club missed out on the chance of silverware after first half goals from Gary O’Hanlon and John Paul Hughes ensured the trophy headed to East Kilbride.

Victoria Park turned in a much better second half display at Petershill Park in Glasgow, but couldn’t find a way past a gritty Greenhills side.

Now Walker is determined to bounce back quickly and wants his players to concentrate on achieving promotion to the Strathclyde Saturday Morning League First Division.

He told the Advertiser: “It’s obviously disappointing to lose a final and although the boys were up for it in the dressing room before kick-off, the nerves probably did get the better of us.

“We conceded the second goal having enjoyed our best spell of the opening 45 minutes and it came as a result of a poorly taken free-kick towards their area and Greenhills hitting us on the break.

“There were some harsh words said at half-time and I think we should have had something out of the game on the basis of our second half showing.

“It was a good experience for the lads and one they will learn from. We will tell them the season isn’t over as we still have a great chance of winning promotion which is now our main aim.”

Greenhills had already come close through full-back Derek Young before opening the scoring after just nine minutes.

A long ball in behind the Victoria Park defence was deflected into the path of O’Hanlon who sprung the offside trap and confidently struck a low shot beyond exposed keeper Scott Conlin.

In the 29th minute, the East Kilbride outfit had another chance when David Cullie’s shot was initially blocked and O’Hanlon’s rebound was diverted past the post by Conlin.

Victoria Park’s reprieve was short-lived, however, as Greenhills notched up a crucial second goal. A Jordan McIntosh corner was headed against the post by O’Hanlon with Hughes then reacting quickest to guide home the loose ball.

It might have been 3-0 in the 38th minute, but Barry Devine fired a Stephen Cullie through ball against the woodwork.

The Monklands men started the second half in determined fashion and Graeme Muir forced Craig Whyte to turn a shot over in the 55th minute.

Two minutes later, Whyte was called into action again when he saved well at his near post after a fine strike from hitman Riccardo Taggliasacchi.

But Greenhills were still a threat, and in the 71st minute, man-of-the-match O’Hanlon struck the bar before nodding a pinpoint Hughes cross just wide.

The last real chance of the match fell to the Airdrie men but although David Watterson’s shot from distance was fumbled by Whyte, he cleared the danger before Taggliasacchi could pounce.

Victoria Park: Conlin, Watterson, Dow, L Boyle (MacPherson 74), Lagan, D Boyle, Gibb, Lynch, Taggliasacchi, Robertson, Muir (Lewis 53). Subs not used: S Boyle, Docherty, Hendrie.